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Taking the mystery out of using the law for positive change

Combining legal remedies with visible campaigning or policy work can be a really powerful way of holding decision makers accountable.

Check out our animation that captures all the benefits that the Public Interest Litigation Toolkit has to offer Northern Ireland’s changemakers!

Watch now!

Blog: the part we played in the disapplication decision

Northern Ireland’s legal challenges to the Illegal Migration Act have grabbed headlines.

Read on to discover why PILS was proud to contribute to this week’s landmark decision.

Read more

Air quality campaigners hope new Minister will be a breath of fresh air

The landmark #CleanAirNI legal challenge returns to court on Friday 01 March 2024.

Read the press release

New PILS podcast goes live!

To Be Fair NI is Northern Ireland’s podcast celebrating the activists and allies using the law to change lives.

Created by The PILS Project, the series will bring you into the very heart of our organisation’s work.

To Be Fair NI is available wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen now

Landmark challenge to stop 17-year long air quality failure underway

Friends of the Earth NI, supported by The PILS Project, are taking legal proceedings to compel the Department to recommence testing as soon as possible.

Read the latest update

‘Everyday acts of peace' celebrated at Oh, Sister! Belfast screening.

As the Good Friday Agreement turns 25, PILS and The Nobel Women’s Initiative joined forces to to shine a light on the experiences of local women in peace building.

Missed the live event? Catch up now.

Telling the story of The PILS Project

Watch our members, Pro Bono Register volunteers, supporters and staff describe PILS’ evolution.

Watch now

User-friendly guides on legal tools for NGOs

Developed as part of a cross-border pro bono initiative, these guides introduce human rights organisations from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to five legal tools.

Read the guides here

A decade of impact: 10 key PILS collaborations

See what public interest litigation looks like in practice in our Impact Report.

View the 2019 Impact Report

Exclusive Q&A with Bryan Stevenson

The legendary US public interest lawyer joined PILS for a conversation about justice, peace and using law as a tool for change.

Watch the interview
I'm an NGO - I need support I'm a Solicitor - I need support What is Public Interest Litigation?

The PILS Project stands for ‘Public Interest Litigation Support’.

We are Northern Ireland’s first and only legal project dedicated to helping local NGOs and legal professionals to build public interest litigation.

These are life-changing legal cases that create positive impact, not just for one person, but for communities across Northern Ireland.

Find out more.

Latest news and events

NI’s Illegal Migration Act cases: the part we played in the disapplication decision 

Northern Ireland’s legal challenges to the Illegal Migration Act have grabbed headlines. Read on to discover why PILS was proud...

Read more

Legal challenge: Air quality campaigners hope new Minister will be a breath of fresh air. 

​The landmark #CleanAirNI legal challenge returns to court today (01 March 2024), as Northern Ireland’s latest Infrastructure Minister is settling...

Read more

‘Scandalous and Vexatious’: Defamation law for activists and campaigners
Event Date(s): February 29, 2024  | Time: 10.30
Event Type: Hybrid (mix of both)
Event Venue: UNISON (165 York St, Belfast, BT15 1GD) or online

Speaking out against injustice is part of a human rights campaigner’s daily life. But how can you avoid leaving yourself...

Read more

The PIL Toolkit

The Public Interest Litigation Toolkit demystifies the process of engaging in public interest litigation for human rights NGOs.

View the Toolkit

An Introduction to Public Interest Litigation

Public Interest Litigation
04/10/2023
Litigation is simply the process of taking legal action before the courts, or another judicial decision-maker. There isn't a single globally agreed upon definition of Public Interest Litigation. Learn about how PILS defines public interest litigation and how to identify a public interest element in an issue that your organisation...
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Animation: The Toolkit is your guide!

Public Interest Litigation
28/05/2024
Combining legal remedies with visible campaigning or policy work can be a really powerful way of holding decision makers accountable. Check out our animation that captures all the benefits that the Public Interest Litigation Toolkit has to offer Northern Ireland's changemakers!
View resource
PILS Toolkit logo

Pre-Litigation Considerations

Considerations, Pre-litigation Options
04/10/2023
This section of the Toolkit outlines the questions that your organisation should ask itself before bringing any kind of legal action. Your answers to these questions will help you determine whether your organisation is prepared and equipped to pursue litigation.
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